’So a breakfast that only costs a few yuan can be this delicious!’
After breakfast, Rhea Dempsey led the three younger ones to start shopping for produce.
Soon, everyone’s hands were full with bags of meat and vegetables.
When they got home, Glenn Zane came out to help carry things in. She was surprised to see the several bags of pomegranates. "Why did you buy so many pomegranates?"
"Ah, we got scammed," Rhea Dempsey sighed.
Glenn Zane looked confused. "Scammed?"
"Yes. Let’s go inside, I’ll tell you about it," Rhea Dempsey said, carrying her bags into the house.
Renee Jennings went to the kitchen, grabbed three fruit knives, and sat down at the dining table to cut open the pomegranates.
In the kitchen, Rhea Dempsey and Glenn Zane started putting away the meat and vegetables they had just bought, and Rhea recounted the whole story about the pomegranates.
"I think I’ve seen those two kids before," Glenn Zane said. She sometimes went to that same wholesale market. "I believe they were selling apples before. I saw someone trying to return them for a refund, but the kids didn’t have any money."
"Why aren’t they in school?" Rhea Dempsey asked, puzzled. "I heard the little boy say their father won’t let them study."
Glenn Zane shook her head. "I’m not sure about that."
* * *
Inky followed the pomegranate-selling siblings until they stopped in front of a hardware store. Before long, a middle-aged man in work clothes emerged from inside.
There was a scar on the bridge of his nose. As he approached them, he said, "Well, look at you. Sold out this early today?"
"Dad, some really rich guy bought them all in one go!" the little boy said joyfully.
"Should’ve known. I would’ve gotten more for you to sell," the middle-aged man said, his tone tinged with regret. "A real shame."
The little girl pressed her chapped lips together and asked tentatively, "Uncle, could you give Glenn and me a little money for food?"
When the middle-aged man heard this, his expression darkened.
The little girl grew tense, her fingernails digging into her palms.
But the harsh reply she was dreading never came.
"Fine. Since you sold all the pomegranates today, I’ll give you a little reward." The middle-aged man pulled a wad of cash from his pocket.
It was a mix of hundred-, fifty-, twenty-, ten-, five-, and one-yuan bills.
His fingers hovered over a twenty-yuan bill for a moment before he finally pulled out a ten and handed it over. With a stern face, he said, "Don’t waste it."
A few seconds later, he pulled out a one-yuan bill and handed it to the little boy. "Glenn, go buy yourself some candy."
"Thanks, Dad." Glenn took the money and thanked him, then asked, "What about Sis?"
The middle-aged man said coldly, "She doesn’t get anything."
Glenn frowned in confusion.
’Why doesn’t my sister get one?’
The middle-aged man pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and said impatiently, "Alright, Willow, hurry up and take Glenn home to do your piecework. I’m busy."